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Ian Snyder Freelance Writer
Distance Traveled in 2026
Visited in 2026

Ian Snyder has had a passion for award travel ever since entering the miles and points world over a decade ago. He enjoys using them to see places both near and far, whether he’s traveling solo, with friends, or with his kids. Especially well versed in frequent flyer programs, Ian understands their intricacies and often is able to maximize his points using the best award deals.

Ian is closing in on 30 countries visited, which may seem like too few for someone who loves to travel as much as he does. But he also loves life in rural Northern California, and returning home from a trip is its own reward. More than anything, Ian wants to demonstrate that extraordinary travel is possible for the ordinary family. He loves helping his friends and family with their own award travel.

Travel Summary
Why the Perks of Gold Medallion Make It Delta's Elite Status Sweet Spot
Why the Perks of Gold Medallion Make It Delta's Elite Status Sweet Spot
2

Of the four Delta SkyMiles elite tiers you can spend your way to, Gold Medallion shines brightest as the program's elite status sweet spot. From bonus miles to complimentary upgrades to free luggage and more, there are good reasons why you should set your sights on Gold if you want Delta status. Here's why Gold Medallion is Delta's elite status sweet spot.

Tyler GlattIan Snyder
Tyler Glatt & Ian Snyder

Reviewed byToni Southam

The Best Ways to Avoid Paying High Fuel Surcharges When Booking Flights With Avios
The Best Ways to Avoid Paying High Fuel Surcharges When Booking Flights With Avios
40

Better known as fuel surcharges, finding out that an award flight in a premium cabin also requires you to pay $1,000 round-trip in additional fees can feel like a punch to the gut. British Airways is arguable the one carrier that is most well-known for these fees. Thankfully, there are a few ways to redeem Avios that avoid or reduce fuel surcharges to a more tolerable level.

Ian SnyderMax Prosperi
Ian Snyder & Max Prosperi

Reviewed byAllie Johnson

Citi Travel℠ Portal Guide: How To Earn and Redeem ThankYou® Points for Flights, Hotels, and More
Citi Travel℠ Portal Guide: How To Earn and Redeem ThankYou® Points for Flights, Hotels, and More
2

The Citi Travel℠ portal is one of several ways you can redeem Citi ThankYou® Points. It doesn't offer the same value as the array of transfer partners, but it does have the upside of letting you use your points for flights on all major carriers. It also gives you a one-stop shop for booking many aspects of your trip. Here's everything you need to know about it.

Ian SnyderHarrison Pierce
Ian Snyder & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed byToni Southam

Delta Platinum Amex Card Review: Great Delta Travel Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee
Delta Platinum Amex Card Review: Great Delta Travel Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee
30

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card presents substantial value for cardmembers who can take advantage of the perks and benefits the card offers. However, the annual fee is a turn-off to some, and you'll need to regularly use the card's benefits to justify it. Our full review can help you decide if this is the right card for you.

Ian SnyderGabriela Milton
Ian Snyder & Gabriela Milton

Reviewed byTyler Glatt

How To Redeem Amex Membership Rewards Points — And Which Options Offer the Best Value
How To Redeem Amex Membership Rewards Points — And Which Options Offer the Best Value
3

Have Amex points and wondering what to do with them? From luxurious business class flights to poor-value gift cards, not all redemptions are created equal. This guide breaks down the best (and worst) ways to redeem your American Express Membership Rewards points—including sweet spots with ANA, Virgin Atlantic, Iberia, and more — so you can get the most value from every point.

Ian SnyderCameron Laufer
Ian Snyder & Cameron Laufer

Reviewed byToni Southam

Which Credit Card Should You Use to Pay Airline Award Taxes and Fees? Here are the Top Options.
Which Credit Card Should You Use to Pay Airline Award Taxes and Fees? Here are the Top Options.
11

Picking the right card to pay award taxes and fees could be the difference between being covered for a weather interruption or medical emergency or having to pay out of pocket. Plus, some cards allow you to earn bonus points on your taxes and fees that you can put toward a future flight. Here our picks for which cards to use to pay for award taxes and fees.

Ian SnyderHarrison Pierce
Ian Snyder & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed byTyler Glatt

Marriott Annual Choice Benefits: Best Options for 2026
Marriott Annual Choice Benefits: Best Options for 2026
0

If you accrue 50 or 75 Marriott elite night credits in a calendar year, you'll be rewarded with a Marriott Annual Choice Benefit, one of the best perks of hitting these thresholds. Rather than an ongoing status benefit, you'll have a one-time selection from a list of options. The choices range from suite upgrades and Free Night Award to extra Elite Night Credits and even a $1,000 discount on a hotel brand mattress.

Ian Snyder
Ian Snyder

Reviewed byJT Genter

The Best Ways To Earn JetBlue Points
The Best Ways To Earn JetBlue Points
33

JetBlue might not have the massive route network of a legacy carrier but, its TrueBlue frequent flyer program offers great value for a revenue-based loyalty program. You can redeem TrueBlue points on any JetBlue flight with paid seats available, letting you enjoy the unique in-flight service offered by the carrier. While it's easy to redeem points, it's also quite easy to earn JetBlue points. Here are the best ways earn with the airline.

Ian Snyder
Ian Snyder

Reviewed byAllie Johnson

JetBlue TrueBlue Guide to Earning and Redeeming Points, Mosaic Status, and More
JetBlue TrueBlue Guide to Earning and Redeeming Points, Mosaic Status, and More
18

JetBlue's TrueBlue loyalty program has created a fan base by keeping things simple. While JetBlue has revamped its Mosaic elite status program over the years, most members have benefited from the changes. And JetBlue has been steadily expanding its list of airline partners, giving members more ways to redeem JetBlue points. Here's everything you need to know about JetBlue TrueBlue.

Ian SnyderLauren Wynn
Ian Snyder & Lauren Wynn

Reviewed byAllie Johnson

How To Earn Avianca LifeMiles: A Complete Guide
How To Earn Avianca LifeMiles: A Complete Guide
0

There are plenty of ways to earn Avianca LifeMiles, and we cover all of them here. From flying with Avianca and its partners to earning lots of points using credit cards, you have multiple great strategies at your disposal. It's even worth considering buying LifeMiles at times, as the value can make sense in certain situations. Here's everything you need to know about earning LifeMiles.

Ian SnyderHarrison Pierce
Ian Snyder & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed byAllie Johnson

American Express Business Platinum Card Review: Are the New Benefits Worth the Higher Annual Fee?
American Express Business Platinum Card Review: Are the New Benefits Worth the Higher Annual Fee?
4

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium business card that commands a high annual fee but offers tons of value through lounge access, hotel and car rental elite status, over $3,500 in annual credits, travel protections, and even cell phone insurance. Check out our detailed review of the card, covering the welcome offer, earning rates, travel perks, and the array of credits that can save you lots of money. These will help you decide if the card is right for you.

Ian SnyderHarrison Pierce
Ian Snyder & Harrison Pierce

Reviewed byTyler Glatt

Comprehensive Guide to the New Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Program
Comprehensive Guide to the New Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Program
52

With valuable points, a strong elite program, and unique partnerships with global airlines, Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards is one of the best U.S. airline loyalty programs. Here, we provide a complete guide to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, including how to earn and redeem points, the ins and outs of elite status, and the best Alaska Atmos Rewards redemption options.

Ben Nickel-D'AndreaIan Snyder
Ben Nickel-D'Andrea & Ian Snyder

Reviewed byJT Genter

Cathay Asia Miles Routing Rules: How to Build Multi-Stopover Trips to Maximize Value
Cathay Asia Miles Routing Rules: How to Build Multi-Stopover Trips to Maximize Value
0

Real magic can happen when you use the Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Oneworld multi-carrier chart to book award tickets. You can add multiple stopovers to create a complex trip at a great price. Some of the pricing bands offer excellent value, especially compared to the cost of many business class one-way and round-trip awards. Here, we cover all the award routing rules in one place.

Ian Snyder
Ian Snyder

Reviewed byTyler Glatt